Guidelines for the classroom
What is fine motor co-ordination?

It is the movements of the small muscles of the body , especially the hand. A child who has problems with fine motor  co-ordination  ,may find it difficult to write  , draw , colour in , cut with scissors , fasten buttons  , the shoelaces  or perform any activity needing the use of his fingers.

What is needed for good fine motor co-ordination ?

Posture
Lies on the table
Slides down in chair
Cannot sit properly on floor for long period at a time

Shoulder muscles
Shoulder hitching
Tires easily so that writing deteriorates with time

Hand muscles
Poor pencil grip
Poor handwriting
Clumsiness

Dominance
Swops hands when writing

Possible solutions for problems

Posture
Check seating
When sitting on the floor ensure that back is supported by the wall

Shoulder/arm muscles
Wall press-ups
Animal walks , e.g. bunny hops

Hand muscle
Paper crunching
Hand washing
Plasticine
Stress ball

Pencil grip
Strengthen grip
prestik exercise
crepe paper darting
scribble over stencils
cut through cardboard

Adapt grip
Grips can be bought to help redirect immature grip
Use thicker pencil which are easier to grip
Enlarge grip by twisting a towel hairband  , cylindrick foam pack or paper around the pencil
Shape a grip with putty
Use triangular pencils  which are easier to grip
Ensure pencils are long enough
Khokis slide easier over p[aper than pencils

Dominance
See which hand the child use in most of the fine motor activities

Ideas for a Fine motor Box in the classroom
Spinning tops
Stress balls crepe paper
Paper clips
Leap frogs
Spray bottles
Buttons
Pegs
Play dough
Lacing cards
Pick-up-sticks